Ruby, the friendly dog from Henfling’s Tavern in Ben Lomond, was found shot dead on the side of Highway 9 on Wednesday evening, the apparent victim of a “gang execution-style killing,” according to Animal Services officer Todd Stosuy.

After the 5-year-old red merle Australian shepherd went missing Tuesday night, her owners, who also run Henfling’s, went looking for her. They even made “Lost Dog” posters with a photo of Ruby wearing a red bandanna.

But it was too late.

“Our dog was murdered,” said Sundai Martin, who had raised Ruby from a puppy with her husband, Caesar Ramirez. “This was a dog. This was our pet.”

Stosuy is still trying to sort out what happened.

The dog was with Ramirez in Felton when she got loose about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“Somehow she got out of the truck and didn’t get back in the truck,” said Martin, guessing Ruby was running back to the tavern when she was gunned down. “She knew the route.”

A Caltrans litter crew found Ruby’s body, collar and tags still intact, off the highway near Brackney Road about 5 p.m. Wednesday. She had been shot once in the head with a small-caliber gun, but had no other injuries.

“This person literally took a handgun and shot her right between the eyes,” Martin said.

Martin and Ramirez worry that an unsavory character from Henfling’s targeted their dog – maybe a patron Ramirez had thrown out – plus Martin can’t think of any other enemies. Ruby regularly went to the bar with them since they took over operations two years ago.

“We think it might have to do with some sort of retribution,” Stosuy said. “The dog is at the business all the time.”

Intentional dog killings are “very infrequent” and usually involve poisoning or running the animal over with a vehicle, according to Stosuy.

Animal Services is investigating Ruby’s death as animal cruelty and have asked the sheriff’s office for help tracking down her killer, who also could be charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, according to Stosuy.

Ruby’s owners are offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of their dog’s killer. Stosuy asked that anyone with information about Ruby’s death call Animal Services at (831) 454-7254.